Patents Examined by Clare Perrin
  • Patent number: 9403853
    Abstract: A trimethylolpropane core, phosphonic acid terminated dendrimer and its preparation method are provided, And a preparation method thereof comprises steps of processing Michael addition reaction on trimethylolpropane triacrylate (CH3CH2C(CH2OCOCH2?CH2)3) and alkylidene diamine (NH2CH2(CH2)nNH2), wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, so as to obtain trimethylolpropane core, amino group terminated dendrimer, and modifying the amino group by methylene phosphonic acid to obtain the trimethylolpropane core, phosphonic acid terminated dendrimer having a chemical formula of CH3CH2C[CH2OCOCH2CH2N(CH2PO3H2)CH2(CH2)nN(CH2PO3H2)2]3, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Tongji University
    Inventors: Bingru Zhang, Fengting Li, Hongmei You
  • Patent number: 9394375
    Abstract: Compositions containing biomass, an ionic liquid, and an amide are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use in extracting and processing biomass are also described herein. Further described herein are films and fibers prepared from the compositions. Methods of recovering the ionic liquids used to process the biomass are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
    Inventors: Daniel T. Daly, Robin D. Rogers, Ying Qin
  • Patent number: 9382377
    Abstract: A polymer mixture in solid or aqueous form includes a content of from 5 to 95% by weight of a first polymer and a content of from 5 to 95% by weight of a second polymer. The first polymer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 to 20 000 g/mol. The second polymer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 to 50 000 g/mol. The polymer mixture can inhibit precipitation and sedimentation of calcium salts and magnesium salts in water-bearing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Jürgen Detering, Torben Gädt, Stephan Nied, Andreas Kempter, Bolette Urtel, Jessica Neumann
  • Patent number: 9371242
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the recovery or removal of one or more crystallizable compounds from an aqueous solution containing, apart from the said crystallizable compounds, one or more organic or inorganic scale-forming or scale-inducing materials having a lower solubility in water than the said crystallizable compounds, said process comprising subjecting the said solution to at least one eutectic freeze crystallization step with recovery of ice and said one or more crystallizable compounds in crystalline form, recycling at least part of the mother liquor formed in the said eutectic crystallization step and subjecting the said recycle to a treatment with seed crystals for said scale forming or scale inducing compounds, removing at least part of the solid material obtained in said treatment step and recycle of the aqueous liquid thus obtained to the eutectic freeze crystallization step or to the feed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
    Inventors: Jacob Van Spronsen, Geert-Jan Witkamp
  • Patent number: 9352291
    Abstract: A method for dispersing oil spilled into the aqueous environment comprising the treatment of the spilled oil with an oil dispersant composition comprising a phospholipid and a polysaccharide derivative is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Southern Mississippi
    Inventors: Robert Y. Lochhead, Sarah Elizabeth Morgan, Samy Madbouly, Yan Zong
  • Patent number: 9346062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to flotation of sulfidic copper- molybdenum- and gold-containing minerals. More specifically, the invention relates to sulfoxy reagent-assisted flotation for separating of sulfides of copper, molybdenum and gold from pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, and other gangue minerals following aerating by an oxidizing gas and contacting by a sulfoxy reagent. To promote collection and flotation the feed mineral materials are preferably not contacted with an externally generated non-oxidizing gas to lower the dissolved molecular oxygen content prior to flotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventor: Barun Gorain
  • Patent number: 9346692
    Abstract: The present invention is to a process for reducing and removing organic phosphorus acid from waste stream. The process involves adding a multivalent metal salt to the waste stream and adjusting the pH level of the waste stream to an optimum level to maximize the removal of organic phosphorus acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Combs, Denis Fallon
  • Patent number: 9346693
    Abstract: Polymer flocculants are described comprising blends of high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and high molecular polyacrylamides. When introduced in desired amounts and with desired molecular weight ranges, excellent flocculation function is found that can be used to reduce polymer consumption to obtain a desired purity of clarified waste water. It has been found that the desirable polymer blends can be effectively added upstream from locations in which polyethylene oxide would generally be added so that the polymer blend can effectively mix with the slime flow to reduce or eliminate the need for excess polymer use to compensate for less effective mixing with the slime flow. Suitable waste treatment systems are described to provide for the delivery of the flocculants in the waste treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: PSMG, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Holt
  • Patent number: 9309447
    Abstract: A method for recovery of cerium oxide from the abrasive waste composed mainly of cerium oxide arising from the polishing of glass substrates, said method including the steps of (i) adding to the abrasive waste an aqueous solution of a basic substance; (ii) adding to the resulting solution a precipitant, thereby forming precipitates composed mainly of cerium oxide, and removing the supernatant liquid; (iii) adding to the resulting precipitates a solution of an acid substance, thereby making said precipitate slightly acid to neutral; (iv) washing the precipitates with an organic solvent; and (v) drying and crushing the precipitates. The method males it possible to recycle abrasive waste into a pure abrasive composed mainly of cerium oxide which can be reused to polish synthetic quartz glass substrates for state-of-the-art semiconductor technology relating to photomasks and reticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Harunobu Matsui, Daijitsu Harada, Masaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9259668
    Abstract: A cleaning method of an immersion liquid includes supplying an immersion liquid on a surface of a cleaning substrate. The immersion liquid is to be used in a liquid immersion lithography apparatus. The cleaning substrate has a substrate and an organic film laminated on a top face side of the substrate. The immersion liquid is allowed to move on the substrate to remove contaminants from the immersion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: JSR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Harada, Goji Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 9249039
    Abstract: A process for separating a sludge stream containing particulate matter into a stream containing predominantly clarified water and a stream containing predominantly particulate matter is disclosed. The process involves passing the sludge stream through a solid reagent contactor bed composed of solid reagent tablets having a copolymer composition for particle aggregation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,076,391. The dissolution of the solid reagent tablets into the sludge stream treats the sludge and makes it amenable for the speedy settling of concentrated sludge at the bottom of a sludge concentrator tank leaving a relatively clean water phase to rise to the top. The process is particularly useful for recovering water from mining sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9238585
    Abstract: A process for removal of non-polar compounds from water, wherein the non-polar compounds exist in dissolved or dispersed form, wherein the water is led through a preparation tank wherein the temperature is adjusted and wherein possible solid particles are removed. The water is then led via pipe into a reactor tank and is mixed with a hydrate forming compound, wherein simultaneously hydrate seeds are added which have been recycled for continuous use in the process; whereby the drops or molecules of the non-polar compounds are attached or associated to hydrate particles being formed in the reactor tank. The hydrate particles are separated from the water and melted. The hydrate forming compound is recycled to the reactor tank and the non-polar compounds discharged. In addition, a device for use of the process as well as hydrates for removal of non-polar compounds in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SINVENT AS
    Inventors: Tore Skjetne, Roar Larsen, Are Lund
  • Patent number: 9227864
    Abstract: A method and chemical composition are provided which permit operation of evaporative cooling towers at increased cycles of concentration without formation of calcium scale. The method can include first determining the calcium hardness and total alkalinity of the makeup water, calculating the operating cycles of concentration using a formula developed for the specified chemical composition, then dosing the treated water to maintain a constant level of the chemical composition. The method permits scale-free operation of evaporative cooling towers at a minimum of two (2) cycles of concentration over existing technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ProChemTech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Keister
  • Patent number: 9221701
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of operating steam generators, particularly evaporators, in hard water environments characterized by high Si and Mg content in which the pHcold of the feed water stream is maintained within a range of about 11 to 12 in order to reduce, eliminate or remove scale from internal evaporator surfaces. Additional components may be added to the feed water stream including surfactants, chelants, dispersants, sequestrants and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CHEMTREAT, INC.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Rob Bedinger, James Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9208915
    Abstract: A method of processing ion exchange resin radioactive waste, wherein the radioactive waste contains a plurality of fractions of radioactive waste based on density, which may include cation resin waste and anion resin waste, wherein at least one of the plurality of fractions comprises a total concentration of at least one radionuclide, including performing at least one of the following operations (i), (ii) or (iii): (i) separating the at least one of the plurality of fractions from the radioactive waste utilizing a moving freeboard; (ii) separating the radioactive waste into cation resin waste and anion resin waste; or (iii) removing at least a portion of the total concentration of the at least one radionuclide from: the radioactive waste; the at least one of the plurality of fractions separated by the moving freeboard; or at least one of the radioactive waste, the cation resin waste or the anion resin waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Frank Hussey, David Bradbury, George Richard Elder, Lisa Maxine Edwards
  • Patent number: 9174860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of materials from heterogeneous fluids and provides a means of effecting stimulant-sensitive flocculation and consolidation of solid suspensions within a liquid medium. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of controlling the state of a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, including applying to the suspension a stimulus adapted to control inter-particle forces between the solid particles. The stimulus is reversibly operable to control attraction and/or repulsion. Means of consolidating a sediment bed and of separating the resultant liquids-rich and solids-rich phases are also within the ambit of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Newcastle Innovation Limited
    Inventors: George V. Franks, Graeme John Jameson, Yao-de Yan, Simon Richard Biggs
  • Patent number: 9163374
    Abstract: Despite advances in off-shore oil exploration and drilling technology, accidental oil spills do occur. Depending on their magnitude and location, irreparable damage may be inflicted on marine and coastal ecosystems. Emulsification of a water/surfactant/oil system results in the production of oil droplets and this depends on the formulation and composition variables, mixing characteristics and system preparation. Thus, research is ongoing on improving methods of cleaning up oil spills. Cactus mucilage was used to disperse and absorb oil from a simulated oil slick in different salt concentrations. Results show correlations between emulsion properties and interfacial characteristics of mucilage as function of aqueous phase salinity. Mucilage powder added to the oil floating on the water dispersed the oil film and absorbed the oil while remaining afloat, facilitates removal of the oil-mucilage aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Norma A. Alcantar, Dawn I. Fox, Sylvia Thomas, Ryan G. Toomey
  • Patent number: 9162411
    Abstract: A screw separator for separating solids out of suspensions, having at least one housing and at least one feed pipe for the suspension, at least one discharge pipe for liquids, and at least one outlet for the at least partially dewatered solids. At least one strainer basket is provided in the housing in which a screw is rotatably mounted, and the screw vanes terminate in a replaceable wearing ring mounted downstream of the strainer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: UTS Biogastechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Czwaluk, Matthias Rabener
  • Patent number: 9139454
    Abstract: A turbulence inducing device is described. Embodiments of the device include a nozzle (135), a vessel assembly (110), and an obstructer (140). The vessel assembly typically includes an open ended main channel (115) surrounded by a housing. In typical operation, fluid under positive pressure is forced through the nozzle into the main channel. Disposed at the main channel outlet, the obstructer is adapted to deflect the flowing fluid and induce turbulence that can result in cavitation when the fluid is a liquid. When the liquid includes water, cavitation can result in production of reactive species that oxidatively modify contaminants in the water. Embodiments of the turbulence inducing device can be used to reduce contamination of produced water, the produced water arising from hydrocarbon extraction or exploration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: En-Spire Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Bower
  • Patent number: 9138956
    Abstract: A screw separator for separating solids out of suspensions, having at least one housing and at least one feed pipe for the suspension, at least one discharge pipe for liquids, and at least one outlet for the at least partially dewatered solids. At least one strainer basket is provided in the housing in which a screw is rotatably mounted where at least one press basket is mounted downstream of the strainer basket, and the strainer basket is received in the housing radially floating and the press basket, radially fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: UTS Biogastechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Czwaluk, Matthias Rabener